Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20: Small Wins

September 29, 2024September 27, 2024 by 100wears

Price: $180 [Check eBay for Current Prices]

Why Buy?

The Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20 is a surprisingly versatile sneaker with really interesting textures to play around with.

Why Avoid?

The Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20 isn’t as comfortable as it could be, and doesn’t stand out in any one particular way.

Specs:

Model	Gel Kayano 20
Height	Low
Material	EVA / Poly
Size	13
Weight	402 g / 14.2 oz
Construction	Cemented
Country of Origin	Cambodia

History

As a brand, Asics has decided that 2024 will be their year of the Gel Kayano 20. It started with the Kenzo models which were probably about $200 too expensive at launch. Coming soon, we have more. This Doublet option is made to look like a shipping box. While cool, they should probably wait at least 6 months before copying someone’s idea.

Today, though, it’s Bodega’s turn to take a stab at this more-than-a-decade-old design. They decided to go for the theme of “small wins add up.”

I have to say, while some of Bodgea’s collabs show a lot of story telling on the sneaker itself this one… kind of loses me. The design doesn’t really reference anything. However, it does pull some classic Bodega style that I’m a fan of.

And, besides, it’s a positive story. At the end of the day, small wins do add up. I won’t complain too much.

However, with so many Gel Kayano 20 models coming out this year, is the Bodega the one you should go for? Let’s dive in and take a look.

Looks

Upper

The Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20 is a sneaker that shows just how impactful texture can be.

It starts off sounding kind of plain. The vast majority of the upper of this sneaker is some variation of cream. Sure, the larger panels are closer to a tan, and the base layer is more of an off white, but let’s be honest with ourselves: these are all cream.

However, as you look at the shoes, there are a ton of little details. The base layer knitting, while not exclusive to this collab, is almost like your grandmother’s lace table protectors. Layered on top of that is a grid of highly reflective X pattern supports. On top of that the darker panels have that sort of tightly ribbed pattern to create a matte pattern, which spreads to a broader rib on the Asics logo itself.

Hidden behind the logo? Subtle “Bodega” branding.

These all combine to a sneaker that is great for fall when you’re trying to layer.

Of course, the shoe isn’t just cream. There are hits of color. The most obvious being the lime green sock liner. It’s so integral to the full look of the sneaker I’d strongly recommend not wearing overly baggy pants with these. It should be said, even here you’ll find interesting texture. Not that anyone would notice it over the green unless you’re holding the sneaker.

Speaking of the inside, on the right shoe you get Asics branding under the heel. The left shoe gets Bodega instead.

There are a few small color hits as well. Around back, a small pink and green “G E L” can be found. There is also a yellow hit on the interior Asics logo as well as on the tongue. The laces are yellow, but if that bothers you, they do come with a cream pair.

Mid and Outsole

If you liked the creams of the upper on the Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20, have I got some good news for you on the bottom half. It’s a whole lot of the same.

Made of a dual density foam split horizontally along the sneaker, the two foams come in tan on the top and cream on the bottom. The tan has some speckles of cream coloring on it, just in case tan was too spicy for you.

Much like the upper, there is also a hit of lime green on the gel pods along the exterior of the sneaker. Out of the box, these are clear and look great. Will that last more than a few wears? No, but it’s nice for the presentation, I guess.

Flipping the sneaker over, a brown rubber outsole is split into 4 pieces to allow some flex. You will actually find the biggest change from the motif under here. The shank plate goes from a navy to clear. You can just make it out from the side if you know what to look for.

Personally, I wish this blue hit was a bit more visible, but hey – I’m glad to have it.

Summary

I’ll be honest. I didn’t have extremely high expectations for this sneaker. I absolutely adore my Saucony x Bodega collab, though, and since these came in similar colors, I figured it was worth a pick up.

While I’m still not putting these sneakers in the same category as those, I will say I was pleasantly surprised. So many sneakers these days are designed to look good on a computer screen rather than in person. I get it, every hyped release is an online exclusive so it makes sense to build for where people shop. But this sort of design does make it harder to actually put together outfits.

This sneaker is one that genuinely looks better in person vs. online.

All that being said, the Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20’s texture means that they are really attention grabbing. All of the promo shots show them on guys in grey tank tops and sweat shorts. I get it, anything more than that and it might become too much.

If you’re the type of guy who can nail textures, these might be for you. Just know what you’re walking into.

Fit & Comfort

Fit

The Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20 fits like every other Gel Kayano 20. That is to say, slightly narrow. When the Gel Kayano launched, it was Asics’ top running sneaker, and that athletic has been maintained to modern times.

The sneaker was designed to hold your foot in place rather than have a casual vibe. That isn’t a bad thing – and wearing your sneakers super loose can cause foot pain – but if you have particularly wide feet you might want to consider going up half a size.

While I don’t typically suggest people go too long with their sneakers, the material that Boedga selected for the structural support is very unforgiving. You’re not going to stretch these out wider than they come out of the box. If you really love these sneakers and have to pick, I’d suggest going up a size rather than deal with the pain.

I took these in my standard sneaker size of 13, and they fit me well.

Comfort

The Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20 is a running shoe from just a few years ago. While it isn’t going to feel like the superfoams of today, it is still an incredibly comfortable sneaker. The three different densities of material on the outsole do a great job of providing impact protection, and the upper is very well padded.

There is one item that holds these back from being all stars in the comfort department. As mentioned above, the larger structural overlays are made of a very stiff material to get that look Bodega wanted. They have very little flex and if I’m wearing thin socks they dig into my feet a bit.

This may improve with time, but in the handful of times I’ve worn them this has been noticeable. Not enough that I would want to sell them, or even that they are not very comfortable. However, it is enough they are not the first sneaker I’m grabbing for a long walk.

I’d put these in the category of comfortable for a day of hanging out.

Materials & Construction

Materials

The Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano materials are mostly what you would expect from a running shoe made a few years ago. There were a few changes made to get the style Bodega wanted, but nothing ground breaking.

On the upper, it’s basically a bunch of different ways to make plastic. From the poly used in the knitting, to the plastic overlays, or the hard heel cap, it’s a whole lot of plastic. While I would love to have seen some more natural materials like Bodega uses in some of their other collaborations, I can say that these sneakers are still plenty breathable, and the materials on the upper should be quite durable.

I have mentioned a few times that I do wish they had used something a bit softer for the main structural supports.

Inside, the sneakers are lined with a tight weave poly lining, and honestly – it feels great. Silky smooth against your sock, and well-padded underneath. The insole is thin, but is a nicer quality foam than you find in something like a Jordan retro.

Underfoot, Asics uses two different types of EVA foam for the majority of the upper. Both of them are on the softer side, but the lighter colored foam is extremely soft. The offset this with their T-Gel technology. The idea is that they use a polymer that can twist and bent to stay under your foot, allowing for softer foams.

For the real shoe tech nerds out there, this is different than the standard GEL tech from the Asics Gel Lyte III. That functioned more like Nike’s Air.

Construction

The Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano is made using cemented construction. This is the most common way of making a sneaker, especially a running shoe. Cemented sneakers are made by sewing together the upper and then gluing it to the midsole.

This type of construction offers unrivaled flexibility, and protection from the elements. Not that the upper of this sneaker is stopping any rain. Brands love it because it’s also the cheapest way to make a shoe. As for drawbacks, it’s almost never cost effective to replace the outsole once it’s worn out. Further, since the only thing holding the shoe together is glue, if that glue starts to fail for whatever reason the sneaker is just trashed.

Pricing & Value

The Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20 launched at an MSRP of $180 available only on Bodega.com. There was an unavoidable $15 shipping charge, so basically $195. Most sizes did sell out, though at time of writing there are a few very small sizes left.

That is about half the MSRP of the Kenzo collab, though $30 more than most upcoming collabs. The Gel Kayano 20 base model is no longer available, but you can find the Gel Kayano 30 for around $100 on Amazon.

As for the resale market, 2 weeks after the drop most pairs are trading hands around $200. Though there were a few that have gone under retail. Be sure to check eBay for current prices.

Are the Asics X Bodega Gel Kayano 20 Worth It?

On this website, I have a really bad habit of saying that a pair of sneakers is good for me personally, but I wouldn’t recommend them. Maybe it’s just a way to justify the number of shoes I own overall.

With the Asics x Bodega Gel Kayano 20, I think it’s finally the other way around. Objectively, this is a great sneaker. As far as checking boxes goes, this sneaker really has it all. It’s (mostly) comfortable. Well made. Features a collaboration with a great brand. Even the price, while not exactly cheap, is well within the norm of higher end sneakers these days.

However, this sneaker doesn’t really knock it out of the park in any one place. It’s the same issue I have with the New Balance 990v4 – great on its own, but not different enough from other sneakers in the line up to justify buying this in addition to what someone with multiple pairs might already have.

Personally, these probably won’t come off the shelf much for me. If I wanted a comfortable enough Bodega collab with bright greens, I’ll take the Saucony version. If I wanted a comfortable runner, I’d take the 990v6.